Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home

Our History

The original Wellington County House of Refuge was located on a farm near the Grand River, one and a half miles from Fergus. The main building was constructed in 1877 and 37 beds were added in 1957. The old House of Refuge became the Wellington County Museum and today is the oldest house of industry and refuge still standing in Canada.

The second Wellington Terrace was built in 1971, and was home to 176 residents. In the early days, the Terrace offered two types of care, 'residential' and 'extended care'. Services also extended into the community, by preparing meals on wheels three days a week and a seniors day out programme.

Same great place, different space!

With the help of staff and volunteers, residents were moved into the new Wellington Terrace the week of May 8th, 2006. The new building is located about a kilometre from the old site on land owned by the County of Wellington (right next to the Museum and Library).

This new 140,000 ft. two story building features six neighbourhoods (resident home areas), housing between 28 and 30 residents in each. Both private and basic accommodations are available. Each bedroom is equipped with furniture (bed, dresser, bedside table and lounge chair) and features a large picture window. They also have access to telephone and satellite TV. Each neighbourhood has a bathing room, dining room, sitting room with fireplace and recreation room. The open concept food services in each neighbourhood enhance the dining experience with the sights, sounds and smells of the "at home kitchen". Other spaces worth mentioning include the chapel, the Snoezelen room, a volunteer lounge, a hair salon, a palliative care suite, a games room, a smoking room and a special events room where families can dine with a resident and host a special event. Outside, there are paved walking paths, courtyards, plenty of shaded areas, roof top gardens, a tree nursery, and a paved lane way to the County Library and Museum where residents and guests can visit.

Did you know these facts about the Wellington Terrace?

Has 176 residents

Has 242 employees

Is the largest employer in Aboyne

4th Largest employer in Centre Wellington

10th Largest employer in Wellington County

Is the 3rd home built by the County of Wellington

1St Home built in 1877 at a cost of $12,000., 2 storey facility, built by F.J. Chubb, Architect C.J. Soule, housing " 60 inmates" (certainly not today's terminology!)

The Home was officially named the House of Industry (name changed to Wellington County Home for the Aged in 1947)

Even married couples had to be separated at the House of Industry! (by 1960, there was still no married accommodation!)

The old house of refuge became the Wellington County Museum and Archives and today is the oldest house of industry and refuge still standing in Canada!

2nd Home was built in 1971 at a cost of $2,100,000, 2 storey facility, built by Len Ariss and Co. Ltd., Architect Donald Skinner, housing 176 residents.

The home was officially named the Wellington Terrace

3rd Home built in 2004-2006 at a cost of $25,000,000, 2 storey facility, built by Bondfield Construction Co. Ltd., Stantec Architecture Ltd., housing 176 residents

140,000 square feet (10,000 square feet used by Public Health)

Has facilitated the connection of water and sewer services to the Museum and Library as well as completion of the water connection between Elora and Fergus, and the extension of sewer services to Aboyne